FW-190 Reich Defender III 5/10-2/11

Excellent work Stumpjumper! The rivets will add to the overall look!

Still adding the small parts to the Tamiya D-9.Fixing the antenna at the moment. Been working on an Eduard FW190. There are a lot of small pieces! A progress shot.

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 Will finish up the D-9 before continuing with this build. Thanks again Daywalker for the extension, considering  starting another A-8.

 Mo

Hi Daywalker. Have not been on these pages for a while but I see you've extended 'til end of Jan? Can I enter my 1/32 Hasegawa D-9?

Have been at it for a while and put in a few after market goodies. I picked up an Aries cockpit - the detail was undeniably fantastic but I just couldn't face all the sanding plus a 1.5 mm gap between the seat and the shelf behind the seat extending along the cockpit. The torture of endless filling and sanding was too much to bear and I just used the control panel in the end (and even that has a bizarre 20 degree downward angle!). I'd be interested to hear what the rest of you think?

I also took the decision to river the whole thing. Again, first attempt at that so plenty of evidence of a 'learning curve', but nonetheless I like the effect, and now the bird is primed, the effect is quite subtle but breaks up the surface into the distinctive panels caused by the rivets on the real thing. Some photos:

James that looks great, I really like the figure climbing into the aircraft as opposed to just standing, brings it all to life a little more for me, well done and thanks for posting the pictures.

Cheers...

Excellent work James. You're absolutely right about the relative size of some aircraft. The first time I saw the 190, up close, I was shocked at how small it really is. Always enjoy seeing figures with the aircraft whenever possible. Great job and thanks for posting!

 Mo

Thanks guys!!! Rob, like havin' at least one figure with my aircraft if for nothing but scale, I think it helps people who have no Idea what they are looking at besides the fact it is a plne to get a feel for how BIG or small some of these planes really were. it is odd to see a B-17 bomber next to a F-14 tomcat, One holds 10 men the other of course 2, what is strange is they are about the same size, very strange unless you have a figure to see they are the same scale. In this case it shows how small that Deadly little Fw-190 bugger really was.

James

James- nice work. The addition of the figure really does put the scale into perspective.

Rob

Excellent work James! I really like it.

Hey Mike, you said you couldn't wait to see the dio. So here it is, though I wouldn't call it a dio, not with just one figure, he is there more to show scale than to make a dio. Although I thought havin' him climbing in for his Last Fight would be more fitting than just to have him standing there with his hands in his pockets so to speak.

Enjoy!

James

Thanks for the complements guys, they are much appreciated coming from builders such as your selves.

Oh yes I am going to order some of those sets from Lions Roar thanks for posting the links. Well I ran into a slight snag on my build, had some trouble with the wing attachment and had to use a bit of well..... shall we call it  persuasion to get them on right at the wing root. That is all sorted out now and I should have some WIP pictures in a day or so.

Julez72 I am planning to freehand the dark green, but you know how the best laid plans can work out sometimes. So I will have to see how that goes I guess

Oh and besides we cant have this group on page 2 ya know    

Glad you managed to get some ordered Frank, I've got some great heavy foil off the top of a whisky bottle (empty ) which I'm hoping will work well with the buckles.

Cheers...

 Hey Vetteman, A jig to bend the harness buckles is a great idea. Take the guess work out of bending them by hand. The belts look great and with the jig, duplicates can be made. Thanks for the tip!

Mo

Spike190

No problem Julez, the wing spar just needs to be "bolt upright", the ammo box chutes will fit over the front of the spar but I had to man handle and persuade mine to do so .

Frank have you seen these?

http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=4718

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=257175-Lion-Roar---Photoetch-WWII-U.S.-seats-&-buckles-Part.-I--Scale-1/48-#LE48001

I know these buckles are for US aircraft but they seem pretty nice, infact I'm gonna get a set for my P38.

Cheers...

AHA!!!

Great find Mike, and JUST in the nick of time!  I was putting together an order from Sprue Bros for some items for my next build, and lo and behold- they stock LionRoar stuff!  A lot of them were out of stock, but they had both US seats/seatbelt sets in stock so I ordered one of each.  They should be here in about two days, so I shall let you know how they look.  Thanks so much for the tip my friend!

Hey I just found these,

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=238237

Cheers...

No problem Julez, the wing spar just needs to be "bolt upright", the ammo box chutes will fit over the front of the spar but I had to man handle and persuade mine to do so .

Frank have you seen these?

http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=4718

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=257175-Lion-Roar---Photoetch-WWII-U.S.-seats-&-buckles-Part.-I--Scale-1/48-#LE48001

I know these buckles are for US aircraft but they seem pretty nice, infact I'm gonna get a set for my P38.

Cheers...

James- Thank you for sharing your 190 with us, sharp looking model!  Great story too.

Randy- Sorry for the delayed reply, but I think your IP looks perfect!  I would be absolutely thrilled to have mine turn out that well.  On those belt buckles, they do look a bit large, but I bet after painting and installing the seat in the office they probably won't be noticed as such.  I do wish someone would do a PE sheet of just 1/48 buckles like Eduard does in 1/32 and 1/24.

Mike(Spike190)- Mate, your 190 is off the charts!  I would love to see that model in the flesh, but on the other hand- I am glad it probably won't end up on the contest table next to mine!  I wouldn't have a chance.

Mike, mate if i encounter problems with this Eduard kit i'll definatly drop you a line...My main concern is the wing spar and the big ammo box thing the fueselage guns attach to....

Mo, don't you hate those butter fingers moments lol....I'm loving your build buddy, looking forward to the finish line

Vette. dude thats a lovely IP, first class detailing IMO, well done sir BTW how are you planning on doing the green spots, freehand or paper masks???

Thank you Spike for your complement

Ok guys as promised I have a few WIP pictures to share, didnt get as much done today as I wanted but I did make some progress. I did waste a couple of hours making a bending jug for the seat harness buckles.

I think I need to come up with a way to make the buckles a bit smaller though, to me they look huge.

I figured I wouldn't get crazy with the engine as once installed you cant see it anyway. I did highlight the cooling fine with a silver pencil and plan to make the fan look a bit older and used.

Randy, great work on the IP, you picked out the detail beautifully, keep up the good work.

Mo your Dora looks great, fantastic job so far, lucky escape with the "glasses incident", if you were closer I could probably get em fixed for you .

Cheers Frank for the comments over on the Aircraft forum, I've given up trying to get mine to look as good as yours! think I model a bit like "doodling" on a drawing pad, always mucking about until it's done.

Nice work Bomber Boy, I'll keep an eye out for your diorama.

Cheers...

Thanks Maxfax and Mobious it is difficult to keep up with the quality in this group. I really have to push myself and thats a good thing.

Maxfax it Tamiya's 1/48 FW190 F8. Actually the IP detail is really good which made it easier to paint the detail on it. I am used to building mostly Revell kits, where the detail isn't nearly as sharp, this is only my second Tamiya build.

Vetteman, Was looking thru the finished builds on page one myself and was impressed by each one. Excellent work on the IP. Looking forward to seeing updates on the pit.

Bomber Boy, Nice bit of history with the A-5. Very well done build!

Mo 

hey Vetteman!

Great job on the IP. Which kit are you building and in what scale? Impressive fine detailed work!

Rob

Man all these great builds, geeze, everyone of them. I hope I can come up with a viable build that will keep up with the Big Dawgs here.

I have a couple of WIP pictures to share. First the IP before it goes into the tub because once in I dont think it will be seen very well. I want to show it off a bit as I think I am finally getting the hang of painting these things.

I would like to know what you think of my attempt at painting the dials and such and not dry brushing them.

Heres the tub, I still have to make some harness buckles and install them and seat belts to the seat before the tub will be finished.

I should have more pictures tomorrow, I have done a bunch more work than is shown in these pictures but nothing really worth showing yet.

Hey Guys,

I always forget to look in groupbuilds to post in so here is the 190A-5 it is as close to the one as I can find that my wife's grandfather shot down over Traptow, near Berlin, in 1944. I say as close, because there were two shot down that day near berlin, so I flipped a coin and this one won. The whole build is in the aircraft section, these are just a few.

Enjoy!

Excellent stuff Mo, and I don't know what it is about those Doras- mine suffered a similar incident while painting it.  Took a nose dive right outta my hand to the floor.

 Spike, Nearly had a total loss. Was fixing the canopy, went searching for a rubber band for a little downforce. As I was looking thru the kitchen drawer for one, my glasses fell off my nose, and scored a hit on the D-9 sending both my glasses and the aircraft plumetting to the earth. Upon impact both the glasses and D-9 were wrecked. The FW was repairable with only the prop being broken, but my glasses unfortunately are done for. Since the accident, been using the Optivisor. Not only have they helped with the detail stuff, the little woman has found them irresistable

 A couple of progress shots.

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Still have a few parts to put on it, but it's getting close.

 Thanks for looking,

Mo

 Spike, Nearly had a total loss. Was fixing the canopy, went searching for a rubber band for a little downforce. As I was looking thru the kitchen drawer for one, my glasses fell off my nose, and scored a hit on the D-9 sending both my glasses and the aircraft plumetting to the earth. Upon impact both the glasses and D-9 were wrecked. The FW was repairable with only the prop being broken, but my glasses unfortunately are done for. Since the accident, been using the Optivisor. Not only have they helped with the detail stuff, the little woman has found them irresistable

 A couple of progress shots.

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Still have a few parts to put on it, but it's getting close.

 Thanks for looking,

Mo

Thanks Mo for the very kind words.

Hows yours shaping up, we must be due some fresh pics?

Cheers...

Hey Spike, Inspiring! Absolutely stunning work on Blue 8. The open pit shot really shows the level of detail. Really like the level of weathering too. The history behind the machine is the finishing touch! Thanks for posting

Mo

Dave, Frank and Julez, thanks guys for the great comments, means a lot coming from such talented chaps. Julez drop me a PM if you need any heads up on your A5.

Cheers...

I have to agree with you there Frank, this GB has been most enjoyable and as a host your first class mate

Mike, what can i say that hasn't already been said, outsanding build buddy it's awesome

Mo, lovin that Dora sir, more please

Randy, looking forward to seeing some WIP pics, those desert colours are amongst my favourites...Hey yours will be the only one in RLM 79....

Eduard kits.....

Yeah fellas i hear what your saying and thanks for your input, i'm expecting the same type of build experience with the A-5 that i'm having with the 110c that said the finished pics i'm seeing here are bloody incredible and i just have to have one....